AC Milan have accepted Andriy Shevchenko's transfer request but have warned Chelsea they must break the bank to land the Ukraine striker.

Shevchenko, 29, appeared alongside the Italian club's vice-president Adriano
Galliani at their offices in Via Turati in downtown Milan at a hastily arranged
press conference to announce his decision this afternoon.

Shevchenko said: 'I am leaving for family reasons - I want to thank the club
for everything it's given to me.

'There's no problems regarding my relationship with anyone in the club or any
financial problems.'

Galliani, in day-to-day control of the club owned by former Italian prime
minister Silvio Berlusconi, said: 'It's a victory of the English language over
the Italian language.'

That was apparently a reference to Shevchenko's American wife who reportedly
wants a move to England.

'I've tried to convince him to stay - even one minute prior to the press
conference,' continued Galliani.

'This is certainly the most painful divorce since I have been at Milan and
from now on we will begin negotiations with Chelsea and it will not be easy.'

Shevchenko's goals helped Milan stay in the race for the Scudetto in the
recently-completed season - they ultimately finished second behind Juventus -
but was reportedly at odds with his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, on several
occasions.

Chelsea, who also signed Germany captain Michael Ballack earlier in May, have
been linked with the striker ever since the acquisition of the club by Russian
owner Roman Abramovich.

Milan signed Shevchenko to a contract extension last year, which tied him to
the Rossoneri until June 2009, after speculation Chelsea were about to make an
approach.

Shevchenko, who will captain Ukraine at the World Cup this summer in Germany,
turns 30 in September.

He joined Milan from Dynamo Kiev in 1999.

Shevchenko is the second top scorer in the history of AC Milan behind Gunnar
Nordahl.

The Ukrainian has scored 173 goals in his seven years at the club and is a
former winner of the Ballon d'Or.

'My wish is that the club can evaluate my transfer,' said Shevchenko. 'Of
course I am saddened because I have seen the looks on the faces of the fans and
because of the many messages I have received.

'My wife has nothing to do with this. We decided together for the best
interests of our family.

'I don't speak English, my wife does not speak Ukrainian - the only language
we have in common at the moment is Italian and the only way to be able to teach
our children our love that we have for them is the English language.'

Shevchenko and his model wife Kristen Pazik have an 18-month old son called
Jordan Andriy.